today, this first day of Pentecost, the question was asked "what is the problem with hendersonville?" hendersonville isn't a bad place, it's just like any other town with it's quirks. with the youth of anyplace usa there is always something wrong or lame about the 'hometown' so this presented some fancy conversation.
in regards to Pentecost though, we came to say that for much of us as a church & our youth community. we're not the best listeners, and that is the problem with hfumc youth, hfumc, hendersonville, nashville area, tennessee, the usa, and much of the world.
you see, in Acts the creation or birthday of the church is all about understanding the other. people from all tribes and cultures could understand each other through the Holy Spirit and that was something to be excited for, celebrate and hold high in story.
today, we don't have the language barrier as from the historic days of the gospels and the ancient church. today we have more things and excuses to listen to and be present to each other to where we can be fully understanding of our neighbors. that is the problem with hfumc youth, hfumc, hendersonville, nashville area, etc.
so on our church's birthday, we a youth community took time to listen to each other. having sought out understanding the scriptures to be true to us in such a way we broke into groups where each person was instructed to speak of themselves. not the normal labels of our society as it is today "i play soccer" but things much deeper. "how do i feel right now..." "my dreams for the future are..." "i feel lost when..." "i'm most joyful when..."
as participants listening to each other our job was to just be present, listening to them. there was no pressure to give answers. everyone was told not to answer or give 'fix it' advice. that way you can be most present to just listen. then at the end of it all, we just say "thank you." a 'thank you' for taking time to trust us with you feelings and who you are. it's tough, it's scary when you know people are actually paying attention.
for me, i was paired with two of my boys and one of my youth ministers. to my boys, hurt came out and confusion. friends and family life have their ups and downs. anger plays it's role. they want to be better people than they think they are. to these openings, we said "thank you." my youth minister, one of my fav people in the church went deep, sharing nothing shocking (ala. skeletons in the closet), but fears, joys, concerns, worries, faith, and all things that are wrapped into a mother of three with a great husband and a family business. she was as transparent and openly sharing as much as anyone i've been with at this church thus far (some of the teens would be up there but under differing circumstances). i was overwhelmed, and to an extent i believe our boys were too, with compassion for those things that she hurts and fears for, quickly i smile when she talks of joy with her family.
i think as our little foursome, we quickly hit an understanding we couldn't have if we just played a game or did some sermon talk. hfumc youth, hfumc, & those communities that surround us will change not because of some miracle for the history books, but because we have claimed that we will listen to each other in a presence that enables us to understand each other. watch as the Kingdom of God will change when people come to feel that they are understood. there will be excitement, celebration, and Peter telling everyone that we're not drunk, it's just a God thing.
the episcopal church has a resolution for their upcoming 75th general convention that is proposing a shared Communion table with us umc's. i've participated in the Eucharist at a number of episcopal churches. so many lay leaders would probably not know a difference. however, canon kendall harmon of titusonenine paraphrases as such.
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